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 Years
ago with the invention of the now-nearly-obsolete cassette tape, the
radio industry worried that this new invention would mean the death of
their industry that had existed for nearly sixty years. Of course, many
of us remember watching as the radio industry found ways to adapt to new
emerging technologies. As we can tell by turning on the radio today, the
industry actually outlasted the item that once threatened its very
existence. Part of the reason for this success was the radio industry’s
willingness to adapt, take small market-based steps to approach the
challenge, and work with consumers to eventually meet a larger goal of
preserving the industry. This illustration can be applied to us as a
nation – as society progresses, we will naturally encounter challenges
that will cause us to reevaluate and take small steps to change our
course if we want to continue as a global leader. Our success in meeting
each challenge is largely the result of our approach in each challenge.
Today, we face environmental challenges that are very real. In our own
communities, we see that the Chesapeake Bay water quality, polluted by
nitrogen and phosphorus run off, has caused it to be listed as a marine
dead zone and has increasingly become more biologically imbalanced. We
struggle to find an appropriate balance between the need for local
landfills and the need for excellent air quality. In our communities, we
struggle to build a nexus between construction as a result of economic
development and the preservation of our natural resources and wildlife
habitats. We have real environmental challenges in our nation, in the
Commonwealth, and in the Fourth District. But it is our attitude of
approach, whether as crisis or with hope, that will determine our
ultimate success or failure in the area of environmental conservation.
For too long the political environment surrounding the issue of
environmental conservation and preservation has been one-sided and
divisive. However, to reach important goals in renewing and protecting
our environment, we must acknowledge the importance of environmental
leadership in the U.S. – for the preservation of our natural resources
and for our global leadership – no matter what our political ideology.
As consumers of natural resources, we have a responsibility to
acknowledge the importance of being active stewards of our environment.
The question then becomes not “do we do something about our
environment?” but “how do we best preserve and protect our environment?”
The proper protection of our environment will not happen if we have to
do it at the expense of economic growth. Contrary to today’s political
rhetoric, environmental conservation and strategic economic development
do not have to be opposing forces. We can, and need, to take an
entrepreneurial, free market approach in protecting and enhancing our
environment. Much of our economic success in America can largely be
attributed to the abundance of natural resources that we have been
blessed with as a nation. The role of the federal government should be
to provide the amount of regulation necessary to set environmental
standards, while allowing enough room for market innovation. By
encouraging companies to provide incentives for consumers who take steps
to conserve, building partnerships between government and businesses in
“green” efforts, and offering incentives to businesses and corporations
who invest in new technology that is environmentally friendly, we are
allowing the free market to dictate conservation innovation.
Approaching the problem with realism rather than rhetoric offers our
best chance to meet what is achievable but difficult: a double bottom
line of “good for our economy” and “good for our environment.” Here is
how we can achieve that:
Pursue Science, Not Politics
We need to take a scientific approach to environmental research and
development, not a political approach. Congress often responds to
current societal challenges under the influence of political pressure,
and decisions are not often vetted under the umbrella of long-term
sustainability. We see this in the area of environmental protection. By
creating a commission of scientists who study environmental issues in
the United States and make legislative proposals based on these studies,
we are allowing decisions on our environment to be made free from
political pressure or agenda.
Use New Technology to our Advantage
I am convinced that our environment will benefit from the use of
advanced technology. We should take full advantage of emerging
technologies like modeling and simulation that allow us to model cities
with green initiatives and determine what works and what doesn’t before
we implement strategies in our local communities. We should offer
incentives to corporations who update their equipment with more advanced
technology as a means of being more environmentally friendly. By
encouraging education in science and technology fields, we are sure to
see students emerge in specialty fields like environmental engineering,
thus creating a future generation equipped for the preservation of our
natural resources.
Realize the Higher Issue of Quality of Life
Environmental protection and renewal is a part of a larger issue of
quality of life. There is no reason that with the knowledge, technology,
and resources available to us that we should settle for sub-standard
water and air quality. There is no reason we shouldn’t demand
preservation of our community’s natural habitats and set an example to
our younger generations that protecting the environment is an important
priority.
President Theodore Roosevelt once said “To waste, to destroy our natural
resources, to skin and exhaust the land instead of using it so as to
increase its usefulness, will result in undermining in the days of our
children the very prosperity which we ought by right to hand down to
them amplified and developed.” Now more than ever, his words ring true.
We can achieve a cleaner, safer, healthier environment for America if we
show leadership in seeking higher standards of cleanliness and
protection for our environment, and in doing so we can achieve a double
bottom line.
New Multimedia Section on Congressman Forbes' Web site
 Congressman
Forbes recently added a Multimedia section to his Web site to provide an
interactive way for you to learn more about his position on issues that
are in the news, as well as learn more about that he does on a daily
basis in Congress. Features of the new multimedia section include:
Randy's Blog
Congressman Forbes will be using a Blog to answer mail he receives from
constituents, emphasize important news articles, and highlight speeches
he has delivered.
ForbesTV
Watch videos of Congressman Forbes online as he participates in
Committee hearings, gives his thoughts on recent news events, and goes
"on location" to discuss issues impacting the Fourth District.
Featured AudioCasts
Listen to Congressman Forbes discuss important issues in his regularly
recorded audio columns.
If you would like to see Congressman Forbes write on a particular issue
in his blog, email him your suggestions. To visit Congressman Forbes
blog, go to
http://forbes.house.gov/multimedia/blog.htm. To visit the
entire of the multimedia section, visit
http://forbes.house.gov/Multimedia/.
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